For those looking for photo opportunities, you can get them with the con’s Ambassador of cosplay Harley Heartthrob, the Mandalorian Mercs Black Mountain Guard, the WV Ghost Busters with their 30ft Staypuff Marshmallow Man, a Supernatural themed Impala with a trunk load of weapons, and the actual shed used in Evil Dead 2.

For events they will have panels on cosplay, making your own comics, inking comics, and a Q&A about working for Image. A charity auction for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and a costume contest for cash prizes and medals. For the first time there will be gaming going on at the con. The Goblin Traders will be hosting Force of Will and Magic: The Gathering tournaments along with board game and Star Wars X-Wing minis demos starting at 11am. The Friday night before the con, they are having their 2nd annual Drink and Draw at Sharkeys. There will be live drawing from 8pm to Midnight.

Tickets are only $10 and free for kids 10 and under. They will also have for sell limited edition exclusive comic cover of Army of Darkness for sell.

This is con is just a must to see. Lots of good creators to meet, things to buy, people to meet, and things to do. All for a good price.

WV’s steampunk convention, Vandalia-Con is returning this Friday May 27th at 5pm through Sunday May 29th at 3pm at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. All proceeds from this event are donated to Bonnie’s Bus, to ensure that breast cancer screening, resources are available to all WV women who need them.

Friday is the Pink Block Party which is open to the public for free. There will be a Health Fair with a women’s health screenings from Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammogram unit with vendors and artists. A Maker’s Faire from 4pm to 6pm will be held for charity with creators allowed to enter artwork, crafts, stories, costuming, props, or other steampunk inspired projects. There is requested donation $5 per entry. There will be entertainment at the party from Professor Bubblemaker, musical performances, and a play by Pirate Crew of the Dead Rabbit as the kickoff to Vandalia-Con. Plus a Masquerade Ball.

On Saturday they will have a Nerf Quickdraw competition and a series of “Unusual Races” to participate in, a live recording of the Talk of the Tavern podcast, a Fashion Show (costume contest), and a musical jam session for anyone to join in on. They will also have classes and panels on steampunk culture and creating, American Folk Music, corsets, Houdini, Victorian archeology, spiritualism, and photography, Ghostbuster Junior training, and several more. They have a few special ticket events as well. A Treasure Hunt, a Pirate Show, Tea Dueling Tournament, and Karnevil’s Sideshow. These events are $10 each.

On Sunday they will have a Society for Creative Anachronism fencing tournament down at Bicentennial Park or ballroom depending on weather.

Single day Saturday or Sunday passes are $20, weekend passes are $50, Silver Passes which gives you a local tour package and Masquerade Ball ticket are $75, and Gold Passes which gives you bigger tour package and entry into all ticket events are $100. Children 10 and under can get tickets half-off.

Fans of steampunk and other alternative history genres will find something to enjoy here, along with costumers, music and history fans, and a little general geekery. All for a good cause, if a little on the pricey side.

Some of the things they will be doing at the event are a craft and Lego maker space plus writing and art contests. They will have a costume contest with winners in four different age groups. There will be appearances from cosplay model Harley Heartthrob, the 501st, Black Mountain Guard, and the Rebel Legion. There will be a Smash Brothers mini-tourney, Pathfinder RPG, D&D minis, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and other games to play. Plus vendors selling comics, toys, table top and video games, and more.

Looks like a quick little fun event for anyone who can make it up to hang out, meet people, and have fun.

Mini-Con is primarily a literacy outreach geared to encourage and foster a life long love of reading through the use of comics, gaming and other out of the box methodologies. It is an event to engage the local community and encourage the use of the library and all of its resources by tapping into the creative spirit of all individuals and providing a safe place for them to be embraced, to learn, and to grow.